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Rajiv Shekhar
PhD (University of California, Berkeley)
Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Research Interest
- Design of next-generation Hall-Heroult cell for aluminium smelting.
- Extraction of neodymium (rare earth metal).
- Electrochemical refining of spent nuclear fuel.
- Design and application of solar thermal energy technology for metals processing.
- Technology for drilling cooling holes in inconel for turbine blades.
- In-situ remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.
- Integrated software platform for EIA of thermal power plants.
- Electricity transmission expansion planning algorithms
Office
Department of Materials Science & Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Kanpur 208016
Specialization
Application of transport phenomena and electrochemistry for process/reactor design in extractive metallurgy, materials processing, pollution control, and solar thermal power.
Education
PhD (Metallurgical Engg.): University of California, Berkeley, 1988
M.S. (Metallurgical Engg.): University of California, Berkeley, 1985
B.Tech. (Metallurgical Engg.): Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, 1982
Teaching Area
Introduction to manufacturing processes.
Fluid mechanics
Metallurgical kinetics.
Principles of metal extraction and refining.
Unit operations in extractive metallurgy.
Process plant design for metallurgical engineering operations.
Heat and mass transfer.
Electrochemical technology in materials processing.
Professional Affiliations
Vision and transformative Leadership
Milestone achievement: Transformed Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad into an IIT.
30 years of teaching and research experience with focus on industrial applications.
Multi-disciplinary expertise: Metallurgy (primary expertise), Environment, Manufacturing, Solar thermal energy, Engineering economics, Policy.
Good understanding of process for scaling technology from laboratory to industry.
Unflinching loyalty to the organization and impeccable professional integrity.
Excellent oral and written communication skills: Blogs on education, research, and technology in Times of India (Elephants can dance).
Selected Publications
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Thudum, A. Srivastava, S. Nandi, A. Nagaraj, R. Shekhar: “Molten salt electrolysis of neodymium: electrolyte selection and deposition mechanism,” Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C, v 119 (2), 2010, pp. 88-92.
Extractive Metallurgy : S. N. Lenka, S. P. Mehrotra, R. Shekhar: “Magnetohydrodynamics in advanced Hall-Heroult cells: Physical modelling of flow in a laboratory-scale cell, Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C, v 116, 2007, pp. 177-182.
Extractive Metallurgy : D. Bhunia, S. P. Mehrotra, R. Shekhar: “A novel probe for measuring current distribution in wood’s metal in a simulated Hall-Heroult cell,” Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C, v 115, 2006, pp. 206-212.
Extractive Metallurgy : M. Sankar, N. K. Batra, R. Shekhar, and S. P. Mehrotra: “Roasting, reduction and leaching of Indian ilmenite ore for producing synthetic rutile,” Trans. Indian Institute of Metals, v 59, 2006, pp. 381-387.
Extractive Metallurgy : S. P. Mehrotra and R. Shekhar:"Particle suspension in air-agitated Pachuca tanks: Investigation of hysterisis and a novel split air injection technique," Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, vol. 32B, April 2001, p. 223.
Extractive Metallurgy : G. G. Roy, R. Shekhar and S. P. Mehrotra: "Particle suspension in (air-agitated) Pachuca tanks," Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, vol. 29B, April 1998, p. 339.
Extractive Metallurgy : T. Chandrashekhar, R. Shekhar and S. P. Mehrotra: "Solid-liquid mass transfer in air-agitated Pachuca tanks," Transactions of the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy, Section C, vol. 107, 1998, p. C151.
Extractive Metallurgy : N. K. Nath, N. Chakraborti and R. Shekhar: "Reduction of Indian nickeliferrous ore with gas flowing vertically through the bed," Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 27, 1998, p. 14.
Extractive Metallurgy : N. K. Nath, N. Chakraborti and R. Shekhar: "Reduction of Indian nickeliferrous ore with gas flowing horizontally over the bed," Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 26, 1997, p. 158.
Extractive Metallurgy : G. G. Roy and R. Shekhar : "Oxygen mass transfer in (air-agitated) Pachuca Tanks: Part II: Mathematical modelling of mass transfer coefficients," Transactions of the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy, Section C, vol. 105, 1996, p. C16.
Extractive Metallurgy : G. G. Roy and R. Shekhar: "Oxygen mass transfer in (air-agitated) Pachuca Tanks : Part I Laboratory-scale experimental measurements," Transactions of the Institution of Mining & Metallurgy, Section C, vol. 105, 1996, p. C9.
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Physical Modelling studies of electrolyte flow due to gas evolution and some aspects of bubble behaviour in Advanced Hall Cells: Part III Predicting the performance of advanced Hall cells," Metallurgical Transaction B., February 1996, p. 19.
Extractive Metallurgy : N. K. Nath, N. Chakraborti and R. Shekhar: "Selective reduction of nickeliferrous ore : Part I Single pellet experiments," Scandinavian Journal of Metallurgy, vol. 24, 1995, p. 121.
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Physical Modelling studies of electrolyte flow due to gas evolution and some aspects of bubble behaviour in Advanced Hall Cells: Part II Flow and interpolar resistance in cells with a grooved anode," Metallurgical Transaction B., June 1994, p. 341.
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Physical Modelling studies of electrolyte flow due to gas evolution and some aspects of bubble behaviour in Advanced Hall Cells: Part I Flow in cells with a flat anode," Metallurgical Transaction B., June 1994, p. 333.
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Fluid flow and interpolar resistance measurements in Advanced Hall-Heroult cells," Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review' Vol. 9, 1992. p. 135.
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Fluid flow in Pachuca (air agitated) tanks. Part II: Mathematical Modelling of flow in Pachuca Tanks." Metallurgical Transaction B., December 1990, p.191
Extractive Metallurgy : R. Shekhar and J. W. Evans: "Fluid flow in Pachuca (air agitated) tanks. Part I: Laboratory-scale experimental measurements," Metallurgical Transaction B., December 1989, p.781.
Solar thermal energy : Vishwa Deepak Kumar, Laltu Chandra, Sudipto Mukhopadhyay, Rajiv Shekhar: “Simulated experimental assessment of a laboratory-scale solar convective furnace system,” Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, v 145(4), 2023, pp. 041011 (1-11).
Solar thermal energy : Vishwa Deepak Kumar, Gurveer Singh, Laltu Chandra, Sudipto Mukhopadhyay, Rajiv Shekhar : “A multi-zone unsteady heat transfer model for an open volumetric air receiver: a step towards scale-up and design optimization,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, v 191, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.122747.
Solar thermal energy : P. Sharma, L. Chandra, P. S. Ghoshdastidar, R. Shekhar: “ A novel approach for modelling fluid flow and heat transfer in an open volumetric air receiver using ANSYS-FLUENT,” Solar Energy, v 204, 2020, pp. 246-255.
Solar thermal energy : G. Singh, V. Kumar, P. S. Ghoshdastidar, R. Shekhar, L. Chandra: “One-dimensional zonal model for the unsteady heat transfer analysis in an open volumetric air receiver,” Accepted for publication, J Therm Sci Eng Appl, v 13, 2021, pp. 011011.
Solar thermal energy : Patidar, S. Tiwari, P. Sharma, R. Pardeshi, L. Chandra, R. Shekhar: “Solar convective furnace for metals processing,” JOM, v 67, 2015, pp. 2696-2704.
Solar thermal energy : G. Singh, D. Saini, N. Yadav, L. Chandra, R. Shekhar: “Dust Deposition Mechanism and Cleaning Strategy for Open Volumetric Air Receiver Based Solar Tower Sub-systems,” Energy Procedia, v 69, 2015, pp. 2081-2089.
Solar thermal energy : P. Sharma, R. Sarma, L. Chandra, R. Shekhar, P. S. Ghoshdastidar: “On the design and evaluation of open volumetric air receiver for process heat applications,” Solar Energy, v 121, 2015, pp. 41-55.
Solar thermal energy : P. Sharma, R. Sarma, L. Chandra, R. Shekhar, P. S. Ghoshdastidar: "Solar tower based aluminium heat treatment system: Part I. Design and evaluation of an open volumetric air receiver," Solar Energy, v 111, 2015, pp. 135-150.
Solar thermal energy : D. Patidar, S. Tiwari, P.K. Sharma, L. Chandra, R. Shekhar: “Open volumetric air receiver based solar convective aluminum heat treatment furnace system,” Energy Procedia, v 69, 2015, pp. 506- 517.
Electroremediation : N. Shukla, M. K. Harbola, K. Sanjay, R. Shekhar: “Electrochemical fencing of Cr(VI) from industrial wastes to mitigate ground water contamination,” Trans Indian Inst Met, v 70, 2017, pp. 511-518.
Electroremediation : K. Sanjay, R. P. Das, R. Shekhar, : “Electroosmotic pump: “Rate controlling mechanism for unusually fast electroremediation kinetics of Cr(VI) in basic Kanpur soil,” Electrochimica Acta, v 86, 2012, pp. 80-88.
Electroremediation : K. Sanjay, R. Shekhar: “Electrokinetic cleaning of industrial residues,” Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. C, v 121, 2012, pp. 117-120.
Electroremediation : K. Sanjay, Arora, R. Shekhar and R P Das: “Electroremediation of Cr(VI) Contaminated Soils: Kinetics and Energy Efficiency,” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, vol. 222, 2003, pp. 253-259.
Electroremediation : M. Manna, K. Sanjay, R. Shekhar: “Electrochemical Cleaning Of Soil Contaminated With A Dichromate Lixiviant,” International Journal of Mineral Processing, vol. 1696, 2003, pp. 401-406.
Materials Processing : Ajeet K Srivastav, Rajiv Shekhar: "Nucleation and growth mechanism of Co-Pt alloy nanowires electrodeposited within alumina template," Journal of Nanoparticle Research, v 17, 14, 2015.
Materials Processing : V. Kumar, Govind, K. Philippe, K. Balani: “Processing and nano-mechanical characterization of Mg-Li-Al based Alloys,” Procedia Materials Science, v 5, 2014, pp. 585–59.
Materials Processing : A. K. Srivastav, R. Shekhar, “Crystal anisotropy induced temperature dependent magnetization in cobalt nanowires electrodeposited within alumina template,” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, v 349, 2014, pp. 21-26.
Materials Processing : A. K. Srivastav, R. Shekhar, “Crystal anisotropy induced temperature dependent magnetization in cobalt nanowires electrodeposited within alumina template,” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, v 349, 2014, pp. 21-26.
Materials Processing : V. Kumar, Govind, R. Balasubramaniam, R. Shekhar, K. Balani: “Microstructure evolution and texture development in thermomechanically processed Mg–Li–Al based alloys,” Mater. Sci. Eng. A, v 547, 2012, pp. 38–50.
Materials Processing : V. Kumar, R. Balasubramaniam, R. Shekhar, K. Balani: “Microstructure and texture evolution during hot rolling of Mg-9Li-7Al-1Sn alloy for aerospace application,” Material Science Forum, v 702-703, 2012, pp. 85-88.
Materials Processing : K. Shiva Kumar, A. Roy, A. Raghunath, R. C. Sharma, R. Shekhar: “Feasibility and kinetics of nitriding of pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V in the molten salt bath of potassium nitrate,” Surface Engineering, v 28, 2012, pp. 458-463.
Materials Processing : V. Kumar, Govind, R. Shekhar, K. Balani: “Effect of hot rolling on microstructure and texture evolution of Mg-Li based alloy,” Material Science Forum, v 690, 2011, pp. 347-350.
Materials Processing : M. Karnik, A. Ghosh, R. Shekhar, “Polarity dependence of the electrochemical discharge(ECD),” Key Engineering Materials, v 486, 2011, pp. 131-134.
Materials Processing : M. Karnik, A. Ghosh, R. Shekhar: “Fused deposition process combining electrochemical discharge with high speed selective jet electrodeposition,” Trans IMF, v 87 (5), 2009, pp. 264-271.
Materials Processing : A. Roy, S. J. Parihar, A. Singh, R. C Sharma, R. Shekhar: “Quench hardening of 0.4 % C steel by using aqueous electrolyte plasma as heat source,” Surface Engineering, v 25 (6), 2009, pp.423- 429.
Materials Processing : D. Pradhan, T. Sripadmini, P. Pradhan, M. Katiyar, and R. Shekhar: “Effect of electrode configuration and mode of deposition on magnetoresistance in electrodeposited Co/Cu multilayers on n-Si by a fully electrochemical method,” Electrochimica Acta, v 54 (2), 2008, pp. 430-433.
Materials Processing : A. Roy, R. K. Tewari, R.C. Sharma, R. Shekhar: “Aqueous electrolyte plasma nitriding: A feasibility study,” Surface Engineering, v 23, 2007, pp. 243-246.
Transmission expansion planning : N. Gupta, R. Shekhar, P. K. Kalra: "Computationally efficient composite transmission expansion planning: a pareto optimal approach for techno-economic solution,” accepted for publication, International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, v 63, 2014, pp. 917-926.
Transmission expansion planning : N. Gupta, R. Shekhar, P. K. Kalra: “Probabilistic transmission expansion planning: congestion management based roulette wheel simulation for optimal capacity,” International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, v 43, 2012, pp. 1259-1266.
Energy policy : R. Shekhar: “Time to tap solar thermal energy,” in Financial Express, 07/01/2015, New Delhi.
Energy policy : P. K. Kalra, R. Shekhar and V. Shrivastava: “Rural Electrification,” in India Infrastructure Report 2007, 3I Network, Ed. A. Rastogi, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2007, p. 138.
Energy policy : P. K. Kalra and R. Shekhar: “Urban Energy Management,” in India Infrastructure Report 2006, 3I Network, Ed. A. Rastogi, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2006, p. 190.
Energy policy : P. Chitkara, R. Shekhar and P. K. Kalra: “Inter-state transmission of electricity: lessons from the Northern regional grid collapse,” India Infrastructure Report 2002, 3I Network, Eds. S. Morris and R. Shekhar, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2001, p. 249.
Energy policy : P. Chitkara, R. Shekhar and P. K. Kalra: “Missing Interconnections in the Power Systems, India Infrastructure Report 2001, 3I Network, Ed. S. Morris, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2001, p. 94.
Professional Experience
24 years of teaching and research experience at IIT Kanpur with focus on industrial applications.
Well-rounded, go-getter academic with experience ranging from institution building, engineering R&D, project management, policy, and administration.
Multi-disciplinary expertise: metals extraction, manufacturing, environmental remediation, engineering economics, solar thermal energy, electric power system optimization and policy.
Good understanding of process for scaling technology from laboratory to industry.
Good contacts in industry, R&D organizations, and multi-lateral institutions.
Sponsored Project
“Establishing a centre of excellence in solar thermal research and education at IIT Jodhpur,” MNRE, September 2011 – August 2016, 40 crores, (with several faculty from IIT Jodhpur). Was PI1 till November 2013.
“Development of the International Center for Application of Solar Energy Technologies,” Asian Development Bank, January 2012 – June 2014, US$200,000, (with L. Chandra of IIT Jodhpur). Was PI till November 2013.
“Development of magnetic field sensors based on metallic multilayers with high magnetoresistive sensitivity,” ARMREB (DRDO), October 2007 – September 2009, 22.65 lakhs (with Prof. M. Katiyar).
“Aqueous Nitriding of Steels by Electrolyte Plasma: Kinetics, Design, and Scale-up,” DST, New Delhi, August 2007 – March 2010 (with R. C. Sharma and Prof. R. K. Thareja),Rs. 18.27 lakhs
“Molten salt electrodeposition of rare-earths and actinides,” BRNS, DAE, of India, June 2004 – March 2008, Rs. 21.16 lakhs.
“Electroremediation of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils: Pilot-Scale Studies for Technology Development,” MHRD, of India, April 2003 – March 2005, Rs. 8 lakhs.
“Electrodeposition of magnetic multilayers with high giant magnetoresistance,” ARMREB (DRDO), November 2002 – October 2005. (with Prof. M. Katiyar).
“The analysis of fused deposition through electrochemical discharge,” DST, New Delhi, April 2002 - March 2005 (with A. Ghosh)
"Electroremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil: Design, scaleup and optimisation," CSIR, New Delhi, April 2000 - March 2003 (in collaboration with Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneshwar).
“Design and development of shaped tube pulse electrochemical machining for drilling deep microholes in inconel alloys,” DST, Govt. of India, New Delhi, April 2001– March 2003 (with V. K. Jain).
"Studies on magnetohydrodynamics in electrically driven melt flow," DST, Govt. of India, New Delhi, April 1995 – March 2001 (with S. P. Mehrotra).
“Reclamation of values from industrial wastes and effluents," AICTE, New Delhi, April 1995 – March 1999 (with S. P. Mehrotra).
"Design, scaleup and optimisation of Pachuca tanks," BRNS, Department of Atomic Energy, April 1992 - June 1995 (with Prof. S. P. Mehrotra).
Project
Consultancy
“Identification of suitable business opportunities,” Shree Cements Ltd., Kolkata, Rs. 6.35 lakhs, April 2010 – September 2010.
Consultancy
“Modelling of the electrorefining cell in the pyroprocessing demonstration facility,” IGCAR, Kalapakkam, 15.0 lakhs, April 2008 – March 2010.
Consultancy
“Determining the commercial feasibility of manufacturing silicon and a mineral-related plant,” Shree Cements Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, Rs. 1.34 lakhs, March 2008 – October 2008.
Consultancy
“Day ahead auction software for power exchange,” National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), Mumbai, Rs. 5.0 lakhs, October 2006 – February 2007 (with Prof. P. K. Kalra).
Consultancy
“Prefeasibilty studies for identifying training needs by electric distribution utilities,” Institute of International Education (IIE), Washington, D.C. (U.S.A.), Rs. 5.0 lakhs, May 2004 (with Prof. P. K. Kalra).
Consultancy
"Development of an integrated software platform for evaluating Environmental Impact Assessment reports of thermal power plants," Infrastructure Development and Finance Company, Mumbai, 8.0 lakhs, August 2000 - August 2002.
Consultancy
"Achieving refractory consumption of international benchmark level in integrated steel plants," RDCIS, SAIL, Ranchi, Rs. 13.0 lakhs, October 1999 - June 2002 (with Prof. N. N. Kishore and Prof. P. K. Kalra).
Consultancy
“Use of slotted anodes to achieve power saving in pots of HINDALCO,” Accenture , New Delhi, Rs. 0.75 lakhs, January 2001 – February 2001.